Machines



(ModeL) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

O. S. BATDORF. BUTTON HOLE ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES.

No. 313,046. Paltented Mar. 3, 1885.

mm |w WITNESSES: INVENTOR ATTORNEYS w PETERS Photo-L-llvcgmplmzWnshmglml. o. c.

(ModeL) 8 Sheet sSheet 2.

G. S. BATDORP. BUTTON 'HOLE ATTAGHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES! No. 313,046.Patented Mar. 3, 1885.

Emmi Mai V INVENTOR .BY I

ATTORNBY$ WITNESSES (Mode1.) I v I I G. S. BATDORP'I 3 Sheets-sheet 3.

I BUTTON HOLE ATTACHMENT FOR SEWING MACHINES. No. 313,046. Patented Mar.3, 1885.

WITNESSES S INVENTOR BY W N. PETERS. PlvnlwLnhngnphcr, Washmglon. D. C.

'view of the movable rack-bar.

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CHARLES S. BATDOR-F, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOHNV. BATDORF, OF SAME PLACE.

BUTTON-HOLE ATTACHMENT FOR SEVl/lNC-MACt-HNES.

fiPECIl-IOATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 313,0i6, dated March3, 1885.

Application filed March 14, 1884. (Merlot) To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, CHARLES S. Barnonr, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful amprovements in Button-Hole Attachmentsfor Sewing-Machines, of which I declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, forming part of this specification.

My present invention has for its object, first, to provide improvedmechanism whereby a work-holding clamp may be vibrated beneath asewing-machine needle; and, second, to furnish improved mechanismwhereby the. necessary vibrating and reciprocating movements may begiven to such work-holding clamps to enable button-holes to be formed infabric.

To this end my invention consists in imparting movement to awork-holding clamp by suitable mechanism acted upon by the feed of thesewing-machine.

My invention also consists in certain improved mechanism for giving tothe workholding clamp the vibrating and reciprocating movementsnecessary in the formation of button-holes, as will be hereinafterdescribed, illustrated in the drawings, and particularly defined in theclaims at the end of this specification.

Figure 1 is a plan view ofmy improvements as embodied in an attachmentfor ordinaryfourmotion-feed sewing-machines. Fig. 2 is a plan view withportions removed for the purpose of illustrating subjacent parts. Fig. 3is a view in vertical longitudinal section on line 90a: of Fig. 1. Fig.at is a view in vertical transverse section on line y y of Fig. 1. Fig.5 is a view in vertical transverse section on line a z of Fig. 1. Fig. 6is a view in verti cal transverse section on line o 'v of Fig. 1. Fig. 7is a detail view in side elevation of the work-holding clamp and themovable rack-bar carried thereby. Fig. Sis a view in vertical transversesection on line aaof Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a view in horizontal section online ;1 y of Fi 7. Fig. 10 is a detail side Fig. 11 is a front view, ofthe rack-bar clamp detached.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of parts of my improved attachment, showing meansfor operating the same from the needle-bar of the machine. Fig. 18 is aview in end elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 12.

A designates the base-plate, upon the under side of which is formed orsuitably attached the circular enlargement a, adapted to fit around thefeed in the space occupied by alike plate commonly found insewingmachinesfor example, the common four-motion feed and havingslide-plate A, that will replace the ordinary shuttlerace slide when theattachment is applied to a machine. Theplates A and A are preferablyconnected together by means of the screw a, which, when the attachmentis to be placed on or withdrawn from the machine, allows the plate A tobe raised slightly until the enlargement a is in place around the feed,when, by means of this screw, the plate A will be clamped firmly to theplateA, which, with the enlargement a, will hold the attachment securelyupon the ma chine.

lVithin the enlargement to and the portion of the base-plate above it isformed. the feedopening or, and in this opening is held the usualneedle-guard, a.

Through the opening a, and in position to be struck by the feed in itsforward movement, passes the dependent foot 11 of the drivinglever B,Fig. 5, that is pivotally connected to the base-plate by the screw 0',and is acted upon by the spring b", and has a bent end, 12 the functionof this lever being to transmit motion from the machine-feed to theworkholding clamp, in a manner to be presently explained.

Upon the base plate A, at the forward edge 0 of the opening a, is formedthe guide-lug a, beneath the overhanging edge of which, and held inplace thereby, moves the cutaway end 0 of the vibrating lever O, thatserves to give the necessary vibratory lateral movement to thework-holding clamp, and has formed thereon the rounded enlargement 0',having a needle-slot, c", and a guide-groove, 0", adapted to receivecorresponding ll-shaped ribs or flanges of the work holding clamp, aswill hereinafter [co appear. In the forward portion of this vibratinglever C is formed the long slot 0*, and

within this slot projects the pivot-pin d of the adjusting-bar D, theouter end of which is furnished with the guide-ribs d, between which isheld the lever E. The forward end of this lever E is slotted, and isheld to the baseplate by means of the screw e, and its central portionis provided with the long slot e, through which passes set-screw e",that serves -to connect the lever E to the adj listing-bar D.

The central portion of the vibrating lever C is bowed, as shown in Fig.2, to allow space Y for other parts, and its rear end is pivot-allyconnected to the lug f, that projects from the side of the slide-bar Fof the overriding pawl F, which, with the companion slide-bar F and pawlF, serves to communicate movement to the vibrating lever 0 from thedriving-lever B and the machine-feed. The slide-bars F and F are held ina manner free to move within the guide-loops f, and are connectedtogether by means of the rocking bar G, that is pivotally attached bythe screw 9 t0 the base-plate, and which is furnished with slots in itsends to receive the pins f of the slidebars.

To the inner sides of the slide-bars are pivoted' the overriding pawls,each of which is provided in its upper surface with a groove, (shown indotted lines, Fig. 4,) within which rests the spring f ,that is attachedto the slidebar, and serves to hold the pawl normally against the'base.

The term overriding is herein employed to designate that the pawls areso constructed as to ride or pass over each other in their reciprooatingmovement.

The overriding pawls are preferably T- shaped, as shown, the outerarms,- f, being cut away to form flanged seats, within which fit theends of the slide-bars, and the inner arms,f", being formed somewhatheart-shaped in crosssection, as shown in Fig. 4, with a groove, f inthe upper portion,to receive the flanged end of the arm I) of thedriving-lever B.

' From the construction of parts as thus far defined it will be seenthat when, by the operation of the machinefeed striking the arm b of thedriving-lever B, the rear end, b", of this lever will be thrust forwarduntil it strikes the end f of the pawl F (assuming the parts to be inthe position shown in Figs. 1 and 2) and forces the arm f of this pawlto lift and pass beneath the arm f of the pawl F, at the same time,through the medium of the rocking bar G, forward movement willbeimparted to the pawl F, causing it to override pawl F and rest uponthe end I) of the driving-lever (see Fig. 4) until the pressure of themachine-feed is withdrawn and the spring I) retracts the driving-leverto its first position, ready to receive the next stroke of the feed.During this operation a vibration in one direction has been given tovibratory lever G, and a like movement thereof will occur with eachmovement of the pawls. As the lever O vibrates uponthe pin d, it will bereadily seen that the extent of vibration of the forward end of thislever-can be controlled at will by shifting the position of theadjusting bar D, and, bearing in mind the fact that the work-holdingclamp is connected (as will hereinafter more fully appear) to the end ofthis vibrating lever, it is obvious that the position of theadjusting-bar D will serve to determine the extent of the lateral throwof this clamp, and consequently the length of each stitch that is made.Thus, for example, if the machine is making a very small button hole,and a very narrow stitch is desired, the adj listing-bar D will be movedforward, thereby bringing the pivot-pin d to the front of the slot 0,and consequently lessening the lateral movement of the work-holdingclamp.

The work-holding clamp consists, essentially, of the jaws H and H, andthe rear portions of these jaws are elastic, and are connected together,as seen in Figs. 3 and 7. The lower jaw, H, has formed therein the broadslot h, the side edges or ribs, h, of which are V-shaped to fit withinthe peripheral groove 0 on the enlargement c of the vibrating lever G,and by this means the work-holding clamp is securely connected to theend of. such lever.

To the lower jaw, H, is attached the yokestandard I, through whichpasses the upper jaw, H, and to the top of this standard is pivoted theclamp-lever l, which bears against the yokestandard I on the upper jaw,H, and serves to force this jaw downward when the work is to be clamped.

In the rear portion of the lower jaw, H, is formed the broad slot h",through which rises the drive-pinion K, connected to or formed integralwith the ratchet-wheel L, journaled on the arbor Z, affixed to thebase-plate, having upon its under surface a sleeve, 1, that elevates theratchet-wheel a sufiicient distance above the base-plate to permit thefree movement of the sliding rod M, the slotted end of which encompasses the sleeve Z, as clearly shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2. Theupwardly-bent portion m of the sliding rod M is connected by means ofthe thumb-nut m, screw m and flanged slide-clip m to the arm gof therockbar G, having the slot 9", with suitable shoulders, as seen in Fig.4, against which bears the head of the screwm". By thus connecting theend of the rod M to the rocking b'ar. its position relative to thepivotal point 9 can be varied and the extent of movement imparted to therod can be adjusted, for a purpose to be presently stated. A pawl, M,carried by the sliding rod M and pressed forward by the spring m, gearswith the ratchet-wheel L, and a spring check-pawl, it, serves to guardthe ratchet-wheel against backward movement. Through the rear of thework-holding clamp extends the guard-plate 0, having central cutawayportion, as shown in Fig. 1, and having IIO nished with the nut 0". Theguard-plate is thus held in place, but with sufficient freedom .ing-barD to the vibrating lever C.

To the rear of the work-holding clamp is suitably connccted,as by adepending lug, p,the rack-bar frame P, the central portion of which iscut away, as shown in Fig. 9, and in the ends 1) and p" of this frameare journaled the ends of the clamp-screw R. Upon the threaded portionof this screw is carried the threaded nut S, to which is connected thedepending rack-bar clamp S, that moves within the slot h of the upperclamping-jaw, 1-1. This clamp S is provided in its upper surface withthe groove s", adapted to receive the shoulder tof the double-faced orcam rack-bar T, the teeth of which are in gear with the driving-pinionK. The teeth otthe rack-bar extend,as shown in Fig. 1, upon both itsfaces and ends, so as to form a continuous rack, with which thedriving-pinion will engage. A depending guard-lip, s, of semicircularform, serves to retain the pinion in gear with the rack when at theforward end thereof, and a like function is performed at the rear end ofthe rack by the end of the slot h of the lower jaw, H. As it is by meansof this double-faced rack -bar that reciprocating motion is impartedfrom the driving-pinion to the workholding clamp, it will be readilyseen that the length of the bar will determine the extent of movement ofthe workl1olding clamp,and 0on sequently the length of the button-holeto be formed. In order, therefore, to allow various sizes ofbuttoirholes to be formed, a number of rack-bars of different lengthswill be provided,two of such bars being preferably formed upon the sameplate, as seen in Figs. 3 and 7 and in detail Fig. 10, Then the camrackbar has been slipped between the side of the rack-bar frame P andnut S and into the groove 3 of the clamp S, this clamp will be advancedby the screw R until the edge of the clamp bears within the notch tofthe rack-bar, when the latter will be held securelyin place, and thesemicircular guard-lip s will be in position to insure the accuratemovement of the driving-pinion in the teeth at the end of the rack bar.

The operation of my improved mechanism is as follows Motion beingimparted to the driving'lever B from the machine-feed, this lever movesthe overriding pawls and their slide-bars,which in turn impart motion tothe vibrating lever G, and as this lever is connected at its end to thework-holding clamp, a vibratory movement of this clamp is effected.

The progressive or reciprocating movement rack-bar T in gear therewith.

of the work-holding clamp necessary to form the length of thebutton-hole is obtained from the overriding pawls by means of thesliding rod M, carrying the pawl M,that engages with the ratchet wh eelL, and each backward movementof this sliding rod causes a partialrevolution of the ratchet-wheel and a corresponding movement of thedriving-pinion-K and the As the drivingpinion is stationary, it will beseen that its operation will cause the rack-bar and the workholdingclamp to move forward and backward at the same time that it is vibrated.NVhen the end teeth of the rack-bar T are in gear with thedriving-pinion, the movement is sufficiently retarded to allow the endof the button-hole which at such time will be formed to be securelystitched before the succeeding side of the button-hole is begun. By thisoperation the ends of the button-holes are rounded. As thedriving-pinion passes from the teeth of one side of the rack-bar tothose of the opposite side, it forces the rack-bar to move laterally adistance equal to the thickness of the rack, and in so doing moves thework-holding clamp a sufficient distance to separate the opposite rowsof stitching of the button-hole.

In forming button-holes of different lengths, it is desirable to varythe width of the stitch es, the distance apart of the sides, and thedistance of the stitches from each other. The first two of theseadjustments are simultaneously effected by the movement of theadjusting-bar D. Thus, if a very small button-hole is to be sewed, theadjusting-bar D will be moved to the forward end of the slot 6 of thelever E, thus moving the pivot-pin or fulcrum of the vibrating lever 0forward, and consequently shortening the throw of the lever, anddecreasing accordingly the vibration of the work-holding clamp, so thatvery narrow stitches will be formed. Now, the dis tance between theopposite rows of stitches obviously depends upon the distance that thepart of the work-holding clamp immediately above the enlarged end 0 ofthe vibrating lever is moved laterally by the driving-pinion in itslateral thrust of the rack-bar, and this in turn depends upon themovement of the end 0 of the lever C. as it is connected to and moveslaterally with the clamp. If, there fore,-the adjusting-bar D be in theforward end of the slot of lever E, and the rack-bar be forced laterallyby the driving-pinion, the movement thus imparted to-the rear portion ofthe work-holding clamp forces the guardplate 0 to one side, and it inturn causes the pivoted lever E and adjusting-bar l) to draw thevibrating lever a very short distance only to one side, for the reasonthat the adjusting bar 1) is near the fulcrum e of the lever E, whereits movement is but slight, and is very near the free end of thevibrating lever C. If, however, the adj Listing-bar D be moved to theopposite end of the slot 0 of the lever E, the lateral movement impartedto the guardplate 0 gives a greater lateral movement to the end 0 .ofthe vibrating lever, for the reason that the bar D, that connects thelever E and vibrating lever O, is farther from the fulcrum orpivot-point of the former and nearer to that of the latter. The distanceapart of the stitches is varied by changing the position of theslidingrod 'M with respect to the pivot-point of the rocking bar G, as thefarther this rod is held from such point the greater will be the extentof its movement, and

the motion communicated to the ratchet-wheelx and driving-pinion will becorrespondingly increased. The distance between the stitches can also bevaried by increasing or diminishing the throw of the machine-feedin theusual manner, as by so doing the extent of movement of the driving-leverand the pawls and the sliding rod can be altered. As the shape of thebutton-hole is controlled by that of the double-faced or cam rack-bar,it is obvious that different forms of rack-bars can be employed toproduce correspondingly-shaped button-holes. Thus, for example, if it isdesired to work button-holes with eyes at their ends, the end of therackbar'will be suitably enlarged.

While I prefer that the work-holding clamp shall receive its movementsfrom the machinefeed, it is to be understood that the general structureof my invention may be operated from the needle-bar of the machine. Suchconstruction is illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13 of the drawings, wheremotion is imparted to the driving-lever B by the slide-bar 1, movingbetween the guide-lips 2, and having pivoted thereto the link 3, thatconnects with the short arm of the elbow rocking-lever 4, that isjournaled in the standard 5. This elbow-lever 4 is bent, as shown, andat its forward end is provided with the slotted arm 6, that fits overthe needle-screw 7 or other suitable projection on the needle-bar. Fromthis construction it will be seen that each movement of the needle-barwill operate the driving-lever and other parts of the machine, asalready. de-

scribed.

It willbe obvious'to the skilled mechanic that the details of inventionabove set out may be varied within wide limits without departing fromthe scopeof the invention, and I do not wish,therefore,to be understoodas limited to such details.

The work-holding clamp may be a clamp for holding other work than thatin which button-holes are to be formedas, for example, a holder forbuttons that are to be sewed upon fabric where it is necessary tovibrate such buttons and fabric beneath the needle, that it mayalternately enter the eyes of the buttons. In fact, wherever it isdesired-to vibrate a work-holder beneath a needle, my improvements willbe found of value. So, also, instead of being applied as an attachment,various features of improvements may be embodied in a machine, the onlyfunction of which is to form button-holes.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an attachment for sewing-machines, the combination comprising amovable work-holding device, a pivoted lever for vibrating saidwork-holding device, located in the path of travel of the machine-feed,and suitable con- 7 necting mechanism,substantially as described.

2. In an attachment for sewing-macliiues,the combination comprising amovable work-holding device, a pivoted lever having its shorter endlocated in the path of the machine-feed, and suitable connectingmechanism, substantially as described.

3. In an attachment for sewing-machines,the combination, with awork-holding clamp, of a pivoted lever for operating said clamp,arranged to extend in the path of the machine: feed, so as to be struckby the feed in its forward movement, a spring for holding said leverpressed forward, and connecting mechanism, substantially as described.

4. In an attach ment for sewing-machines,the combination, with thebase-plate andthe workholding clamp, of mechanism for impartingvibratory movement to said clamp, comprising two reciprocating pawlsmovably mounted in horizontal position on the base-plate and in suitableconnection with the work-holding clamp, and means suitable foralternately operating said pawls, substantially as described. 5. The.combination, with a work-holding clamp, of mechanism for vibrating thesame, comprising a vibrating lever connected with said clamp, tworeciprocating pawls in connection with said lever and movably held inhorizontal position, and a driving-lever for alternately operating saidpawls, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with the work-holding clamp, of mechanism forvibrating the same, comprising a vibrating lever connected with saidclamp, two reciprocating pawls in suit able connection with said lever,a rocking bar suitably connected with said pawls, and mechanism foroperating said pawls, substantially. as described.

7. In a button-hole attachment for sewingmachines, the combination, withthe workholding clamp, of mechanism for imparting vibratory movementthereto, comprising two reciprocating overriding pawls, a vibratinglever connected with the work-holding clamp and with said pawls, and asuitable device for operating said pawls, substantially as described.

8. In a button-hole attachment for sewingmachines, the combination, withthe workholding clamp, of the vibrating lever, the reciprocating pawls,the sliding bars for said pawls, meanssuch as the driving-lever-foroperating said pawls, and suitable connecting mechanism, substantiallyas described.

9. In a button-hole attachment for sewingmachines, the combination, withthe workholding clamp, of the vibrating lever, the reciprocating pawls,the sliding bars, the rocking bar connecting said sliding bars, and thedriving-lever, substantially as described.

10. In a button-hole attachment for sewingmachines, the combination,with the workholding clamp having upper and lower slotted portions, ofthe vibrating lever having a part adapted to fit within the lowerslotted portion, reciprocating pawls for operating said lever, a fiXedpinion projecting through said lower slotted portion, and a rack-barplate held within the upper slotted portion of the work-holding clamp, aratchet-wheel for operating said pinion, a pawl for said ratchetwheel,and a sliding rod connected to said pawl, substantially as described.

11. In an attachment for sewing-machines, the combination, with thereciprocating workholding clamp, of mechanism for moving said clamp,comprising a single rack-bar plate having a continuous rack upon itsopposite faces, a fixed pinion, and means for imparting motion to saidpinion, substantially as described.

12. The combination, with the work-holding clamp and mechanisn1-such asa lever for vibrating said clamp, of mechanism for reciprocating said.clamp, comprising a movable double-i'aced raclebar plate, a fixedpinion, a ratchet-wheel, and a sliding; rod and pawl for operating saidratchet-wheel, substantially as described.

18. In an attachment for sewing-machines, the combination, with afixedbaseplate and a worl'r-holding clamp movably mounted thereon, ofoperating mechanism for said clamp, comprising a pinion fixed to saidbase-plate, means for operating said pinion, and a removable rack-barplate having a continuous rack around the same, substantially asdescribed.

14. In a button-hole attachment for sewingmachines, the combination,with a work-hold ing clamp, of mechanism for reciprocating said clamp,comprising a fixed pinion, avertical rack-bar plate having teeth uponeach face thereof, and adapted to move around the fixed pinion, and aclamp for holding the raclcbar plate in vertical position, substantiallyas described.

15. In a button-hole attachment for sewingmachines, the combination,with the workholding clamp, of mechanism for reciprocating the same,comprising a continuous removable rack-loar plate, a fixed pinion, aclamp for holding the rack-bar plate in position, and an adjustableguard for holding the pinion in gear with the rack-bar plate,substantially as described.

16. In a button-hole attachment for sewingmachines, the combination,with the workholding clamp, of mechanism for reciprocating said clamp,comprising a fixed pinion and suitable operating mechanism, and adoublefaced reversible rack-bar plate, substantially as described.

17. In a button-hole attachmentfor sewingmachines, the combination, withthe work holding device, of the vibrating lever and the rack-bar andpinion for vibrating and reciprocating said device, and mechanism-suchas the adjusting-bar and suitable connections with the rack-bar-wherebythe distance between the rows of stitches of the button-holes may bevaried, substantially as described.

18. In a button-hole attachment for sewingmachines, the combination,with the workholding clamp, the rack-bar carried by said clamp, and thepinion for said rack-bar, and a vibrating lever for said clamp, of anadjusting-bar carrying the fulcrum for said lever, substantially asdescribed.

19. In a button-hole attachment for sewing machines, the combination,with the workholding device, of a rack-bar, a pinion, suitable meanssuchas a ratchet-wheel and le- -verfor operating said pinion, and meanssuchas a rocking barfor operating said lever, said lever and rocking barbeing {adjustably connected together, substantially as de scribed.

20. In a button-hole attachment for sewingmachines. the combination,with the workholding device, of the vibrating lever C and suitableoperating mechanism therefor, the pivoted lever Id, the adjusting-bar1D, and the guard-plate O, substantially as described.

21. The combination, with the work-holding clamp, of the vibrating leverO, the slidebars F F, the pawls F F, pivoted thereto, rocking bar G, anddrivinglever B, substantially as described.

22. The combination, with the work-holding clamp, of the vibrating leverG, the slidebars F F, the pawls F F, the rocking bar G, the sliding rodM, the pawl M, ratchet-wheel L, pinion K, raclcbar T, and clamp forholding said rack-bar, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 10th day of March,1884.

JNO. W. BA'IDORF, G120. 1. FISHER, Jr.

